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Former Beaufort Clerk of Court pleads guilty

Posted: April 7, 2011 - 7:55pm

BLUFFTON TODAY

COLUMBIA — Former Beaufort County Clerk of Court Elizabeth M. Smith, 48, of Florence, pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court in Charleston to conversion of public money, according to United States Attorney Bill Nettles.

Senior U.S. District Judge Sol Blatt Jr., accepted the plea and will impose a sentence after the U.S. Probation Office prepares a presentence report.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that in January 2006, Smith diverted at least $68,500 in federal child support money to pay the judicial salary of a family member, while working for the Beaufort County Drug Court. Her husband, V. Manning Smith, was the Beaufort County Drug Court judge until he was removed from the bench by S.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice Jean Toal in August 2009.

The Smiths now live in Florence.

Federal regulations prohibit the use of such funds for judicial and staff compensation and office-related costs. Smith, in her capacity as the Beaufort County Clerk of Court, had control over this money. The money ended up in a personal account over which she had control and was a signatory.

“Elizabeth Smith was an attorney and an elected official,” Nettles said. “The manner in which she violated the public trust is shameful. As a convicted felon, she will never vote or hold office again. This conviction shows that those who choose to abuse their positions will be held accountable under the law.”

The maximum penalty Smith can receive is a fine of $250,000 and/or imprisonment for 10 years, plus a special assessment of $100.

The case was investigated by agents of the Office of the Inspector General, Department of Health and Human Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Winston D. Holliday Jr., of the Columbia office handled the case.

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